On the Cover

Modern classics: wardrobe upgrades for every budget, p. 220

Easy skillet dinners everyone will love, p. 240

Add value to any home: 10 proven ideas, p. 169

Etiquette in the age of technology, p. 153

Granola bars, p. 205

Energy-saving bulbs, p. 201

Exfoliators, p. 209

In This Issue

Thoughts, p. 10

The Simple List, p. 18

Editor's Note, p. 39

Contributors, p. 40

Everyday Celebrations, p. 43
Making tomato sauce? Turn it into a party and invite a few friends

Your Words, p.53
What is the best book your book club has read?

Solutions

New Uses for Old Things, p. 65

Either…Or?: convection baking, p. 68

Products of the Month, p. 70

The Primer: mascots, p. 74

Easy Upgrade: framing digital photos, p. 77

Tech Decoder: computer ports, p. 78

Uncommon Knowledge: food expiration dates, p. 80

Ask Real Simple: squeaky shoes, p. 82

Life Lessons, p. 85
Noelle Howey on the surprising virtues of being a quitter

The Quiz, p. 92
Are you fashionable?

The Motivator, p. 213
Take the sting out of criticism. Life coach Gail Blanke offers suggestions for both giving and receiving feedback

Credits, p. 284

Reality Check, p. 288
Directions for dinner, thanks to Google Moms

Real Simple To Go, p. 290

The Guide

Style

Black-tie, festive, or casual? Deciphering dress codes for any event, p. 99

Add a touch of gray to your wardrobe. It’s your foolproof autumn neutral, p. 111

What a steal! Well-priced pieces to smooth your closet’s transition from summer to fall, p. 123

Channel Queen Victoria or Jackie O. with a classic charm bracelet, p. 127

Beauty

Hold on to your summer glow with one of these 12 products, p. 135

To dye or not to dye? All your hair-color questions answered, p. 143

Life

With new technology comes new social protocols. Navigate today’s rules with ease, p. 153

Body

Reduce stress in two weeks with daily tips that will take you from frazzled to free as a bird, p. 163

Home

Thinking about home improvement? Ten projects to add value to your investment, p. 169

From aerosol cans to mirrors, how to recycle anything. The first installment of a two-part guide, p. 177

Moneywise

Real Simple’s monthly pages on saving money: how to create a flexible investment plan, ways to cut down on clothing expenses, and the average kid’s allowance, p. 191

Road Tests

Compact fluorescent bulbs, p. 201

Granola bars, p. 205

Body exfoliators, p. 209

Features

Trend-a-phobic? Just learn to choose ones with staying power, p. 220

Five women who have (creatively) salvaged the family dinner, p. 230

How to cope with losses large and small, p. 236

Easy meals — with even easier cleanup. Six one-skillet dishes, p. 240

Designers from Real Simple’s Design on a Dime event share their decorating tips, p. 248

Cooking

Five Easy Dinners, p. 259

Make-Ahead Meal: End-of-Summer Vegetable Soup, p. 271

Good-for-you grains and easy recipes to enjoy them, p. 273

Shopping List/Recipe Index, p. 282